Sutton AC’s Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has slammed criticism of his physique, insisting his presence at the World Championships is a sign his methods are working.

Aikines-Aryeetey was given a hard time by GB’s Olympic heptathlon gold medal winner Denise Lewis after an off-colour performance at the Diamond League meeting on August 5.

It is not the first time the 22-year-old’s physique has been called into question. However, Aikines-Aryeetey insisted he was reducing his bulk and thought it is time his track times, not his pec size, caught the eye.

“I got a lot of criticism after Crystal Palace with Denise Lewis saying I am too big or whatever, but I have lost about three kilos,” he said from an Aviva-funded Team GB & NI training camp in South Korea.

“It frustrates me when I hear something like that because it’s like, ‘you haven’t even asked me a question before in my life, so how do you know that’s what I do?’ “I don’t think you should be criticised for being the best person you can be.

“If you run a personal best at a championship that should be acceptable. If you don’t then you can be criticised, but any other way is a bit unfair.

“If I am too big then I wouldn’t be here.” Lewis’ words might still be running through Aikines-Aryeetey’s head, but he said it was the thoughts of Olympic 100m champion Linford Christie, who is also in the Far East, that convinced him he can be a contender.

“Linford said if I get my start right I could run under 10s. I think this is a great opportunity to do it,” he added.

“You take it with a pinch of salt because you have still got to go and do it, but it is great.”

Aviva’s support is helping Team GB & NI prepare for the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. To find out more, go to aviva.co.uk/athletics or follow them on Twitter at @AvivaAthletics.